Ex-Mass. senator James Marzilli keeps pension despite conviction

BOSTON (AP) — A former Massachusetts state senator who pleaded guilty to accosting four women in 2008 has been allowed to keep a $14,000-per-year state pension.

The state Retirement Board ruled Thursday that James Marzilli's crimes were not connected to his official duties as a lawmaker, and thus under state law he was allowed to keep the pension.

The board did, however, reject Marzilli's request for an enhanced pension of $26,000 annually under an old law that increased benefits for incumbents who lost an election, because Marzilli resigned.

Marzilli is a Democrat from Arlington.

He was sentenced in February 2011 to three months in jail and five years of probation after he admitted making lewd remarks to four women in June 2008 in downtown Lowell. He blamed his actions on mental health issues.